Hacks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are practical jokes and pranks meant to prominently demonstrate technical aptitude and cleverness or commemorate popular culture and historical topics.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The pranks are anonymously constructed at night by undergraduate students (hackers) and are governed by an extensive and informal body of precedent, tradition, and ethics. Although hacks can occur across campus, many make use of the prominent Great Dome. Hacker alumni include Nobel Laureate George F. Smoot.[7] Although the practice is unsanctioned by the university and students have been arraigned on trespassing charges for hacking,[8][9][10] hacks have substantial significance to MIT’s history and student culture and several hacks are prominently featured as exhibits in recent buildings such as the Stata Center and MIT Museum.[11]